The Grizzlies won 110-105 in Utah to stay perfect at 4-0 and climb to the third seed. They controlled the game for three quarters, then had to grind out the last five minutes after the Jazz cut it to one.
How did a 16-point lead turn into a one-point game?
Memphis took the first quarter by nine and the third by seven, and a 9-0 burst late in the third pushed the lead to 87-71. Utah then won the final period 29-21. The Jazz ran off nine straight to go from 98-86 to 98-95 with 5:31 left, and Iisalo had to call timeout at 102-101 with 3:19 to go. Mo Bamba scored eight of those Utah points. This team has to learn to finish off a lead like that.
Who closed it, and how did the last minute go?
Iisalo closed with Boozer, Coward, Wells, Jerome and Edey. Up 107-105 with 41 seconds left, Wells made both free throws. Keyonte George missed a pull-up, Darryn Peterson grabbed the rebound and missed his own pull-up, and Boozer cleared the glass. Jerome hit two more free throws with 11 seconds left, Brice Sensabaugh missed a three, and Wells took the final rebound. Jerome had eight of the team's 21 points in the final period.
Who earned the top grades?
Cedric Coward gets an A: 16 points, 11 boards and 4-for-4 from deep in 32 minutes, a +8. Jerami Grant gets a B-plus off the bench. He scored 13 on 4-of-6 shooting and finished +12 in 24 minutes, the best mark on the roster. Quinten Post made the most of a short stint with 12 points on 5-of-6 in 12 minutes, a +10. The bench outscored its usual share and put up 48.
What about Jerome, Boozer and Wells?
Jerome shot 4-of-15 but handed out eight assists, made 6 of 7 free throws and won the last quarter, so he gets a B-minus. Action News 5 reported he was named Western Conference Player of the Week. Boozer posted 13, seven boards and four assists on 4-of-12 shooting, finished -9 and gets a C. Wells scored 14 on 5-of-9 and made the free throws that sealed it, but he also finished -9.
What does this win change going forward?
Memphis is 4-0, third in the conference and 2.5 games clear of 11th. They won this one on the second night of a back-to-back, in their third straight road game. Now they get three days off before Portland on October 29. After that come three straight at FedExForum against the Kings, Pelicans and Pacers. Isaiah Stewart and Karim Lopez were both cleared, so the rotation is full again.
Did the Grizzlies beat the Jazz on October 26, 2026?
Yes. Memphis won 110-105 in Utah, and Cedric Coward led the team with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
When do the Grizzlies play next?
Memphis plays at Portland on October 29. After that it plays three straight home games against Sacramento, New Orleans and Indiana.
